Revolutionary State-Making in Dar es Salaam: African Liberation and the Global Cold War, 1961-1974

George Roberts' book explores the connections between the global Cold War, African liberation struggles, and Tanzania's efforts to build a socialist state, focusing on the city's role as an epicenter of the African revolution.

Format: Hardback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 16 September 2021
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

George Roberts delves into the intricate web of connections that shaped Dar es Salaam's rise and fall as a focal point of the Third World revolution. By examining the interplay between the global Cold War, African liberation struggles, and Tanzania's pursuit of socialist statehood, Roberts offers a fresh perspective on decolonization. Instead of limiting the analysis to a national level, he locates the intersection of these dynamics within a globally interconnected city in East Africa. In Revolutionary State-Making in Dar es Salaam, Roberts introduces a diverse cast of politicians, guerrilla leaders, diplomats, journalists, and intellectuals whose lives converged in the bustling metropolis. Within the cosmopolitan and gossip-filled hotel bars, embassy receptions, and newspaper offices, these individuals grappled with the daunting task of remaking a world after empire. However, Dar es Salaam's role as a frontline city in the African revolution came with significant consequences. Roberts elucidates how Tanzania's unwavering anti-imperialism ultimately led to an authoritarian turn in its socialist project, resulting in tighter control over the city's public sphere. This captivating book sheds light on the complex dynamics that shaped Dar es Salaam's history and provides valuable insights into the broader context of the African revolution and global geopolitics.

Weight: 656g
Dimension: 159 x 235 x 29 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781108845731